Pullela Gopichand to be vice president of BAI

Badminton Association of India (BAI) as chief coach Pullela Gopichand has filed his nomination for the post of vice-president. It was believed that Gopichand will file his nomination as the secretary and also got the nod from the all powerful president Himanta Biswa Sarma.

But it is learnt that Gopichand filed nomination as VP along with outgoing secretary Ajay Singhania while coach Sanjay Mishra filed nomination for the post of general secretary. Gopichand wanted to contest as the general secretary but at the last minute a technical issue prevented him from doing so.

As per the BAI constitution, to be elected as the general secretary, one should be a member of the executive council. Since Gopichand is not the member of the executive council he was unable to file nomination for the post of general secretary.

Gopichand will now be one of the eight vice presidents. Meanwhile, Himanta Biswa Sarma is expected to be elected unopposed to the post of the president.

The last date for the withdrawal of nominations is March 19 while election, if necessary, will be conducted on March 25.